Hi all-been a member for a while but never got around to posting my project. 1971 Mercedes 111 chassis 280SE 3.5 V8 coupe. Rare stickshift on an already rare car. Also rare sunroof. Bought it about 15 years ago as a driving car but was a high mileage DD. California car but a bit of rust due to being in coastal climate of San Francisco. Nothing structural-mostly sheet metal. Total mechanical and cosmetic restoration underway. I am also building a one of a kind 5.6L engine based on boring and stroking a tall block version of the 3.5 (the 4.5). This is not just an engine swap but a period correct 5.6L engine that all accessories and my manual transmission will attach to. Many hrs of research and work have gone into it. The bottom end is mostly done and the heads are underway. Pics when I get a chance.
In case anyone is following this-have moved twice(different states both times), project pretty much on hold except for engine and 5speed conversion and car is in storage until my shop is finished. I designed and built a 5 speed conversion based on a Tremec T5 transmission, modified Mcleod Mustang 11" 8 hole flywheel using 10.5" clutch(11" clutch holes were used to mount the ring gear), custom built driveshaft and required custom bellhousing to attach the transmission. Engine progress: I found my cylinder walls were marginal thickness with the 96.5 overbore so I started with a fresh block. I plan on increasing the bore from 92.5mm to about 94.5mm this time. This will leave at least .160" cylinder wall thickness. New engine displacement about 325cid or 5.3L. I have completed the measurements for custom pistons and the piston dish design is established. CR 9.5-10.0 Next step is to order the pistons. If anyone has interest I can post pics.
This post is useless without pics!
Sounds cool, I want to see it
There's a an old red Benz in a barn up the road. It's close enough to the road that the trunk is legible on the rare day the barn is open. It says 280SE on one side of the trunk and 3.5? 4.5? on the other side. Guessing that means it's a relatively rare V8 car? I think it's a 4dr. Been there a long time, like tires have sunk into the ground.
In reply to 280SETony :
Yes, lots of pics please! Sounds like a cool project
